The Wolf can’t understand how the NRL would allow this clash to be scheduled in the lead-up to Origin 2. Both teams are missing a host of Origin players with the Storm missing five (Slater, Cronk, Smith, Chambers, Glasby) and the Cowboys missing four (Thurston, Morgan, Cooper, Hess). The Storm will also be without Jordan McLean and Cheyse Blair after they picked up injuries in last week’s win over the Sharks.

The Storm have won three straight against the Cowboys as well as 14 of the last 19. The Storm won the most recent clash 16-10 in last year’s Qualifying Final in Melbourne.

Melbourne sit atop the ladder with an 11-2 record on the back of the second-best defence in the NRL. The Storm have won their last three including an 18-13 upset win in the Grand Final replay against Cronulla at Shark Park. Melbourne are conceding an average of just 11 points per game at AAMI Stadium this season. North Queensland put together back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 5 with a dominant win over Parramatta. The Cowboys have conceded 18 points or fewer in 5 of their last 6 matches. North Queensland are 4-2 outside of Townsville this year.

A combined nine players will be missing from this showdown due to Origin as powerhouse clubs Melbourne and North Queensland both field heavily depleted teams for this important Round 15 encounter.

Melbourne have been hit hardest, losing their ‘Big 3’ of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, along with Will Chambers and debutant Tim Glasby, while Jordan McLean and Cheyse Blair are also out injured.

The Cowboys will be without superstar halfback Johnathan Thurston, who guided the team to a big win over the Eels last week, while Maroons teammates Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess are also away in Queensland camp.

With so many star players absent, this match will come down to who adjusts quicker with fresh combinations and ultimately the side with greater depth will emerge triumphant.